Heroica: Glory Amongst the Stars - Mission #9: He's Dead, Jim

[Duvors]

4 hours ago, Endgame said:

Keeping an eye on people's backs and hips to see if anyone was concealing a sheathed blade, Decker makes his way across the street to the pizza place.

As you arrive at the window, you see that the cook is handing the previous customer their order.

"Here you go, one cheese with olives and anchovies."

"Thank you, have a good day."

As the man leaves, the vendor turns her attention to you:

"Right, wadda you want?" she says, shoving a thin plastic menu into your hands.

Menu

Pizza: (Consumable) x4 uses, each use restores 2 Vitality, multiple uses may be spent as a single action. - 15 credits.

Fizzi-Cola: (Consumable) +1 die to next initiative check, does not stack. - 5 credits.

Dwarven Root Beer: (Consumable) +1 die to Melee Combat Checks and -1 to Ranged Combat Checks for next battle, does not stack. - 5 credits.

Spellpop: (Consumable) +1 die to Spell Checks for next battle, does not stack. - 10 credits.

Fizzi-Cola and Dwarven Root Beer were designed by Kintobor.

Not allowing yourself to be distracted, you continue to scan for the swordsman...

Decker Perception Check (DC 3 1): (2,2,4,5) Two successes.

...wait a minute, didn't the guy that was here before you have a sword?

3 hours ago, Yzalirk said:

Ronin takes off his Workman's Uniform and throws on his Rocketpack.  He then approaches a random vendor they have not visited yet while scanning through the crowd for the mysterious swordsman.

I'm not sure you can equip the rocketpack without armor, but I'll allow it until I receive information to the contrary.

Of the vendors remaining, you have a choice between a carpet seller, a potion stall, and a bookseller. The carpet seller wasn't recommended, and you can't think of anything immediately useful from the book stall, so suspicious potions it is.

"Yeeeessss, welcome. What are you searching for?"

As he addresses you, you scan the crowd for the mysterious swordsman;

Ronin Perception Check (DC 3): (1,5,5,1) Two successes.

...nope, not a sign of him.

Edited February 6, 2022 by Duvors

[Endgame]

Decker takes the menu, reading it over. "Huh, the pizza here smells pretty dang good and..."

Waaaait a second was that last guy just... Oh dammit. But I just picked up this menu! I can't just... walk away, the girl behind the counter is just starin' at me now! Uhhh how to do this how to do this how to...

"HEY, Ronin!" Decker calls out, peering over his shoulder, trying to get his comrades attention. "They got Dwarven Root Beer, ya want one?" Decker adds, gesturing towards the walking away swordsman in hopes Ronin got the hint.

[Yzalirk]

On 2/6/2022 at 2:26 PM, Duvors said:

"Yeeeessss, welcome. What are you searching for?"

After not spotting the swordsman yet, he glosses over the potions.

"I am not sure.  What kind of potions do you have?"
 

4 hours ago, Endgame said:

"HEY, Ronin!" Decker calls out, peering over his shoulder, trying to get his comrades attention. "They got Dwarven Root Beer, ya want one?" Decker adds, gesturing towards the walking away swordsman in hopes Ronin got the hint.

Thinking he might have heard Decker yell for him, Ronin looks back at him and gives him a negative gesture.  Oblivious that Decker is trying to signal him to the possible swordsman.

"I am fine, thank you for your concern."

[Duvors]

15 hours ago, Yzalirk said:

After not spotting the swordsman yet, he glosses over the potions.

"I am not sure.  What kind of potions do you have?"

"My potions are too strong for you, adventurer."

There is a momentary silence as the man before you gazes dead into your eyes, unblinking. Suddenly, he breaks into a grin with a short bark of laughter.

"Hah! I wish I could've seen your face there! Seriously though, I have a whole bunch of... let's say officially discouraged merchandise. Come, take a look!"

 Green... is that the glass, or the contents?

 This one's red, definitely the glass.

 The contents of this one are viscous.

 Uhhhh... this one's... glowing.

 Ooh, sparkly!

 This one doesn't seem to like you very much.

 The world grows faint if you look at this one too long.

 This one has frosted glass... and toxic green contents.

 This one is in a copper bottle, why?

[Endgame]

Oh, for the luvva...

"Er," Decker passes the menu back. "I think I'm good for right now, actually, sorry 'bout that."

Decker turns around and walks hastily to the man with the sword and wide-brimmed hat. "Say, fella, couldn't help but notice the blade you had - was wonderin' where you got it?" These types of folks always love talkin' 'bout the ancestral history of their blades or whatever, yea? Maybe I can get him jabberin'.

[Yzalirk]

On 2/8/2022 at 2:43 PM, Duvors said:

"My potions are too strong for you, adventurer."

There is a momentary silence as the man before you gazes dead into your eyes, unblinking. Suddenly, he breaks into a grin with a short bark of laughter.

"Hah! I wish I could've seen your face there! Seriously though, I have a whole bunch of... let's say officially discouraged merchandise. Come, take a look!"

"You have quite the selection.  Most impressive.  Please explain what they do.  I have very limited knowledge in alchemy."

[Duvors]

On 2/8/2022 at 10:05 PM, Endgame said:

Oh, for the luvva...

"Er," Decker passes the menu back. "I think I'm good for right now, actually, sorry 'bout that."

"Eh, suit yourself."

You get the feeling that she doesn't appreciate your behavior.

On 2/8/2022 at 10:05 PM, Endgame said:

Decker turns around and walks hastily to the man with the sword and wide-brimmed hat. "Say, fella, couldn't help but notice the blade you had - was wonderin' where you got it?" These types of folks always love talkin' 'bout the ancestral history of their blades or whatever, yea? Maybe I can get him jabberin'.

The man turns to you, a serene smile on his face.

"Hmm? This? I think I picked it up in a street market on Hi-Pluvvon. Why do you ask? Are you in the market for a sword?"

17 hours ago, Yzalirk said:

"You have quite the selection.  Most impressive.  Please explain what they do.  I have very limited knowledge in alchemy."

"Oh ho ho ho! My friend, your wish is my desire!"

He begins pointing to the different bottles in turn, lauding their various merits.

"To begin with, that dark green one is pure arsenic, theoretically you'd need a license to sell it, but well... heh, I think you get me. Ten credits for you sir. The red one, that's a little concoction called Frozen Blood for the feeling you get from it. It'll put you right out if you take it, twenty-five credits. The orange one is supposed to be a sleeping aid, but it's too strong to be sold as one though and passes through the system too quickly. That goes for fifteen credits. The yellow one is called Lamplight, it was supposed to help people see in the dark, but it, er, didn't. Ten credits for that one. The sparkly pink one is called Glitterdust, makes your head spin that one, fifteen credits. The purple one is called Black Death, not after the disease, that's how people describe the feeling. Ten credits. The blue one is Æther Shroud. Do not take it if you're a spellcaster. Fifteen credits. The err, bright green one is absinthe, it's completely harmless, unless you consider the slow poisoning of alcohol as harmful. Ten credits. This one," he says, holding up the copper bottle, "These are called Cytherian Salts, they'll heal you right up, but they have some... ah, funny side effects. Ten credits."

[Endgame]

7 hours ago, Duvors said:

"Hmm? This? I think I picked it up in a street market on Hi-Pluvvon. Why do you ask? Are you in the market for a sword?"

"Mmm, not me specifically, nah," Decker says, glancing over his shoulder. He could still see the food worker scowling at him. Yikes, lady, all I did was touch the menu.

"I have a friend I'm travelin' with, ya see, quite the skilled swordsman. It's not our primary objective per se, but he's wanderin' about, looking to acquire new skills, hone his blade, that kind of thing. Could I introduce you two?"

[Duvors]

14 hours ago, Endgame said:

"Mmm, not me specifically, nah," Decker says, glancing over his shoulder. He could still see the food worker scowling at him. Yikes, lady, all I did was touch the menu.

"I have a friend I'm travelin' with, ya see, quite the skilled swordsman. It's not our primary objective per se, but he's wanderin' about, looking to acquire new skills, hone his blade, that kind of thing. Could I introduce you two?"

Swordsman Insight vs. Decker Deception: (6,1,6,6) three successes vs. (1,4,5) two successes.

"And what would this 'primary objective' be, and is it really unrelated to your seeking me out?" He gives a small chuckle of amusement. "Very well, I shall meet this friend of yours. Is he here?" he says, looking around quizzically.

[Yzalirk]

On 2/10/2022 at 3:50 PM, Duvors said:

"Oh ho ho ho! My friend, your wish is my desire!"

He begins pointing to the different bottles in turn, lauding their various merits.

"To begin with, that dark green one is pure arsenic, theoretically you'd need a license to sell it, but well... heh, I think you get me. Ten credits for you sir. The red one, that's a little concoction called Frozen Blood for the feeling you get from it. It'll put you right out if you take it, twenty-five credits. The orange one is supposed to be a sleeping aid, but it's too strong to be sold as one though and passes through the system too quickly. That goes for fifteen credits. The yellow one is called Lamplight, it was supposed to help people see in the dark, but it, er, didn't. Ten credits for that one. The sparkly pink one is called Glitterdust, makes your head spin that one, fifteen credits. The purple one is called Black Death, not after the disease, that's how people describe the feeling. Ten credits. The blue one is Æther Shroud. Do not take it if you're a spellcaster. Fifteen credits. The err, bright green one is absinthe, it's completely harmless, unless you consider the slow poisoning of alcohol as harmful. Ten credits. This one," he says, holding up the copper bottle, "These are called Cytherian Salts, they'll heal you right up, but they have some... ah, funny side effects. Ten credits."

Ronin glances at each "Potion" while the merchant describes them.  He wonders to himself if any of these will be useful.  Everything has its uses, right?  Many scenarios play through his... mind.

"Hmmm... I think I will buy one vial of Frozen Blood, one vial of the sleeping aid, one vial of Lamplight, one vial of the Aether Shroud, and two vials of the Cytherial Salts."
Ronin hands over 85 Credits.
"You said that you need a license to sell that arsenic, correct?  How about I take that off your hands.  Free of charge.  Too many people are nosey around here, I would not want you to get in any trouble.  And that absinthe.  The air heads will ignorantly believe that to be arsenic too."
He attempts to convince the merchant.

[Duvors]

3 hours ago, Yzalirk said:

"Hmmm... I think I will buy one vial of Frozen Blood, one vial of the sleeping aid, one vial of Lamplight, one vial of the Aether Shroud, and two vials of the Cytherial Salts."
Ronin hands over 85 Credits.
"You said that you need a license to sell that arsenic, correct?  How about I take that off your hands.  Free of charge.  Too many people are nosey around here, I would not want you to get in any trouble.  And that absinthe.  The air heads will ignorantly believe that to be arsenic too."
He attempts to convince the merchant.

Ronin Intimidation Check (DC 7): Automatic failure.

The man snickers at you, amused by your audacity.

"My friend, you just brought nearly a hundred credits worth of illegal drugs. You think I'd give away some homemade alcohol and rat poison for free? Besides, you can barely carry what you've got."

He's right. With your recent purchases, you're almost at your carrying capacity. You think you have room for one more object before you have to start dropping things.
As you struggle to securely stow your recent purchases in your pack, the tube of hardened sealant you've been carrying slides out of your pack and flops to the ground.

"Hey," says the man, "Is that that Seatopia stuff? What kind of algae's in there?"

[Yzalirk]

10 hours ago, Duvors said:

Ronin Intimidation Check (DC 7): Automatic failure.

The man snickers at you, amused by your audacity.

"My friend, you just brought nearly a hundred credits worth of illegal drugs. You think I'd give away some homemade alcohol and rat poison for free? Besides, you can barely carry what you've got."

He's right. With your recent purchases, you're almost at your carrying capacity. You think you have room for one more object before you have to start dropping things.
As you struggle to securely stow your recent purchases in your pack, the tube of hardened sealant you've been carrying slides out of your pack and flops to the ground.

"Hey," says the man, "Is that that Seatopia stuff? What kind of algae's in there?"

"Perhaps.  What is it to you?"

[Endgame]

On 2/11/2022 at 2:28 PM, Duvors said:

Swordsman Insight vs. Decker Deception: (6,1,6,6) three successes vs. (1,4,5) two successes.

"And what would this 'primary objective' be, and is it really unrelated to your seeking me out?" He gives a small chuckle of amusement. "Very well, I shall meet this friend of yours. Is he here?" he says, looking around quizzically.

"Primary objective is, well, ah," Decker was quite frankly not prepared for this level of scrutiny. "Some investigative work, I guess y'could say? Y'see, what we're doing is-" Decker scans the crowd until he sees Ronin, engaged with some sort of vebdor that didn't look - well, didn't scream 'totally on the up and up.'

 

"Ah, there he is," Decker says, cutting himself off and walking over to his comrade. "What're ya up ta, Ronin? Pizza place didn't have anything good but I found someone I'd imagine ya'd like to meet?" Decker jerks his thumb backwards towards the swordsman.

[Duvors]

7 hours ago, Yzalirk said:

"Perhaps.  What is it to you?"

"Well, some kinds of algae are... useful for the sorts of products I sell. Tell you what, hand it over to me and tell me where you got it, and you get a bottle of absinthe at half price. Deal?"

[Yzalirk]

On 2/12/2022 at 9:38 PM, Duvors said:

"Well, some kinds of algae are... useful for the sorts of products I sell. Tell you what, hand it over to me and tell me where you got it, and you get a bottle of absinthe at half price. Deal?"

"I do not think I am interested in the absinthe anymore.  But I am willing to sell it to you for some credits instead."

Ronin looks at Decker as he approaches.

"Ah, Decker.  Just doing some shopping."

Edited February 14, 2022 by Yzalirk

[Duvors]

1 hour ago, Yzalirk said:

"I do not think I am interested in the absinthe anymore.  But I am willing to sell it to you for some credits instead."

"Sure, that seems fair. Five credits. Deal?"

On 2/12/2022 at 4:39 PM, Endgame said:

"Ah, there he is," Decker says, cutting himself off and walking over to his comrade. "What're ya up ta, Ronin? Pizza place didn't have anything good but I found someone I'd imagine ya'd like to meet?" Decker jerks his thumb backwards towards the swordsman.

1 hour ago, Yzalirk said:

"Ah, Decker.  Just doing some shopping."

The swordsman glances at Decker.

"So this is the man you wanted me to meet." He smiles. "I like him already." Turning to face you, Ronin, he addresses you. "It is always good to meet a fellow disciple of the sword. My name is Kenshi. I believe you are called Ronin? That is how your friend just addressed you."

[Endgame]

On 2/14/2022 at 5:05 PM, Yzalirk said:

"Ah, Decker.  Just doing some shopping."

"You gon' be able to carry all that stuff? Your arms look more than a lil' full there, friend. If you need me to haul any stuff around, I'm travellin' more or less pretty light, so I can lend a hand. I'd give it back to ya after all is said and done, of course."

On 2/14/2022 at 7:04 PM, Duvors said:

"Sure, that seems fair. Five credits. Deal?"

The swordsman glances at Decker.

"So this is the man you wanted me to meet." He smiles. "I like him already." Turning to face you, Ronin, he addresses you. "It is always good to meet a fellow disciple of the sword. My name is Kenshi. I believe you are called Ronin? That is how your friend just addressed you."

"And this is my new pal, Kenshi," Decker says, as if he hadn't just learned the man's name. "I think you two are gonna get on pretty dang good."

[Yzalirk]

On 2/14/2022 at 7:04 PM, Duvors said:

"Sure, that seems fair. Five credits. Deal?"

"Deal."
Ronin accepts the credits.

On 2/14/2022 at 7:04 PM, Duvors said:

"So this is the man you wanted me to meet." He smiles. "I like him already." Turning to face you, Ronin, he addresses you. "It is always good to meet a fellow disciple of the sword. My name is Kenshi. I believe you are called Ronin? That is how your friend just addressed you."

"Hello Kenshi."
Ronin bows.
"Yes I am called Ronin.  Vinoq has told us you are a renowned swordsman here, yes?  That you may want to test my skills.  I believe we can learn from each other the master the art of the blade."

[Duvors]

9 hours ago, Yzalirk said:

"Deal."
Ronin accepts the credits.

"Excellent. Pleasure doing business with you."

9 hours ago, Yzalirk said:

"Hello Kenshi."
Ronin bows.
"Yes I am called Ronin.  Vinoq has told us you are a renowned swordsman here, yes?  That you may want to test my skills.  I believe we can learn from each other the master the art of the blade."

"Well, that's forward." he chuckles, "Though honestly I have often approached others like you to challenge them, so I can't criticize. I don't know who this 'Vinoc' is, but he seems to have done me more credit than I deserve for you to seek me out specifically. Are you sure you want to fight me now though?" he looks at you quizzically. "From what your companion has led me to understand, you have a matter of some urgency you're attending to. I don't want to cause you undue delay."

[Endgame]

"Well, we can always make some time fer some, how-shall-we-say professional development." Decker muses. "How do these kinda duels work, necessarily? I'm assumin' I'm sittin' this one out, what with the fact that my weapon of choice is a bit, ah, not a sword," Decker adds, patting the shotgun on his back. "Y'all need a ref for this sort of thing?"

[Duvors]

21 minutes ago, Endgame said:

"Well, we can always make some time fer some, how-shall-we-say professional development." Decker muses. "How do these kinda duels work, necessarily? I'm assumin' I'm sittin' this one out, what with the fact that my weapon of choice is a bit, ah, not a sword," Decker adds, patting the shotgun on his back. "Y'all need a ref for this sort of thing?"

"An impartial referee is never a bad thing, though I don't think allowing a personal friend of one of the fighters to referee is a good idea." He gives a little laugh. "As for the rules, this is a test of skill, not a fight to the death. The combatants won't be physically injuring each other, so healing objects will have no effect. In fact, using any stimulants, drugs, or ranged weapons will be considered as a forfeit. I wouldn't discount your own presence though, or the other bystanders. Direct interference from an outside party would be against the rules, but the favor of the crowd can have a palpable effect on the course of a battle."

Edited February 17, 2022 by Duvors

[Yzalirk]

On 2/16/2022 at 3:13 PM, Duvors said:

"Well, that's forward." he chuckles, "Though honestly I have often approached others like you to challenge them, so I can't criticize. I don't know who this 'Vinoc' is, but he seems to have done me more credit than I deserve for you to seek me out specifically. Are you sure you want to fight me now though?" he looks at you quizzically. "From what your companion has led me to understand, you have a matter of some urgency you're attending to. I don't want to cause you undue delay."

13 hours ago, Duvors said:

"An impartial referee is never a bad thing, though I don't think allowing a personal friend of one of the fighters to referee is a good idea." He gives a little laugh. "As for the rules, this is a test of skill, not a fight to the death. The combatants won't be physically injuring each other, so healing objects will have no effect. In fact, using any stimulants, drugs, or ranged weapons will be considered as a forfeit. I wouldn't discount your own presence though, or the other bystanders. Direct interference from an outside party would be against the rules, but the favor of the crowd can have a palpable effect on the course of a battle."

"As enticing and fun as this sounds, we have more important matters to attend to, Kenshi.  Unless I have your word this will not take too long, I will not duel you.  I will never forgive myself if people get hurt because I selfishly decided to partake in a friendly duel."

 

[Duvors]

11 hours ago, Yzalirk said:

"As enticing and fun as this sounds, we have more important matters to attend to, Kenshi.  Unless I have your word this will not take too long, I will not duel you.  I will never forgive myself if people get hurt because I selfishly decided to partake in a friendly duel."

"That's fair enough, I was going to offer you something in return if you beat me, but I think I waited too long." He pauses questioningly for a moment. "Was there something else you wanted from me? My skills with and without the sword can be put to other uses if you're willing to pay."

[Endgame]

13 hours ago, Yzalirk said:

"As enticing and fun as this sounds, we have more important matters to attend to, Kenshi.  Unless I have your word this will not take too long, I will not duel you.  I will never forgive myself if people get hurt because I selfishly decided to partake in a friendly duel."

 

"Hey Ronin, huddle up for a sec, yeah?" Decker says. "I thought we were enlisting this guy to help us out here?" Decker whispers. "Now, if you'd rather pay the gentleman rather than cross swords with 'im, that's A-Okay with me, but I just want to make sure we're on the same page here." Decker drops his voice even lower. "'Sides, you chopped up a gator. Your sword can handle this guy."

[Yzalirk]

15 hours ago, Duvors said:

"That's fair enough, I was going to offer you something in return if you beat me, but I think I waited too long." He pauses questioningly for a moment. "Was there something else you wanted from me? My skills with and without the sword can be put to other uses if you're willing to pay."

13 hours ago, Endgame said:

"Hey Ronin, huddle up for a sec, yeah?" Decker says. "I thought we were enlisting this guy to help us out here?" Decker whispers. "Now, if you'd rather pay the gentleman rather than cross swords with 'im, that's A-Okay with me, but I just want to make sure we're on the same page here." Decker drops his voice even lower. "'Sides, you chopped up a gator. Your sword can handle this guy."

"Hmmm... very well."

Ronin turns to Kenshi, moving his cloak and gripping the handle of his katana.

"I agree to your terms, Kenshi.  A friendly duel, a simple test of skill.  Are you ready?"